Backpacking Capitol Reef Extravaganza Loop | Day 1 - Lower Spring Canyon

This video series describes my backpacking adventure in Capitol Reef National Park. I spent 3 days and 2 nights completing the Capitol Reef Extravaganza loop which is approximately 26 miles.
Day 1 - I started at a parking area off of Hwy 24 near the Lower Spring Canyon. It was a bit of an adventure finding my way down to the Fremont River and searching for a good place to cross to begin my hike. Once, I got across, it took me about 1/4 mile to figure out if I was supposed to walk on a trail or just follow the creek bed. Eventually I realized that I would be walking on the dried up creek bed for most of this trail.
I loved this trail. It had so many different aspects to it that made it a fun adventurous trail. The first was crossing the Fremont River. It was mid-April so the river was not too high, easy to cross. But once you cross the river and enter the canyon, you are met by these towering canyon walls as you walk along a meandering creek bed. Then there were sections of the trail that took you through narrow sections, bouldering and even a sketchy ledge with some exposure as you are above the creek bed. All-in-all it was a great hike!
I got to the parking area around 1 pm and only hiked about 8 miles that day. I stopped at the turnoff sign for Chimney Rock. There is a great section for tent camping just to the east of that sign, out of sight of the trail but with some magnificent views.
I saw several people do this as a day hike. Starting from either the Lower Spring Canyon and hiking to the Chimney Rock trail on Hwy 24 (or vice versa). You will just need to arrange some type of transportation to get you back to your starting or point or a hitch. That would be about an 11 mile hike, so very doable. But I camped in Chimney Rock Canyon and was looking forward to Day 2 of my adventure. Thanks for watching!
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[@karensmith5116]

Outstanding scenery! Thanks for sharing with us all!

[@crimsonblaze_backpacker]

Thanks! Stay tuned for next week... 🙂